Sectional steam boiler



April 2', 1940. w. G. CARTTER SECTIONAL STEAM BOILER Filed March 27, 19257 3 Sheets-Sheet .5

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Patented Apr. 2, 1940` UNITED STATES PATENT orifice SECTIONAL STEAM BOILER William G. Cartter, Monrovia, Calif.

Application March 27, 1937, Serial No. 133,397 3 claims. (01.122-271) This invention relates to a steam boiler, or the like, and particularly pertains to a sectional steam boiler.

The present invention contemplates the provision of steam boiler sections which are assembled as rigid units and may be installed within the boiler structure or separately removed as a unit without dismantling the entire boiler, and without in any wise disturbing the other units, the said sections comprising upper and lower tubular elements connected by intermediate tubes and ilues of particular constructiony and design whereby a maximum heat exchange will take place in the structure.

The invention is illustrated. by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section andelevation as seen on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the boiler structure and disclosing the asi-.

sembled relationship of the various boiler units. Fig. 4 is a view in central vertical section through one of the boiler units as seen on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and particularly disclosing the wall configurationf the heat tube whereby a maximum exchange of heat may be produced.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of another form of the invention showing how the structure may be used as a radiating or cooling unit. Fig. 6 is an end Viewv of the structure as shown in Fig. 5 and showing an air blower.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

1 the boiler comprises a base I l) upon which opposite vertical side walls II and I2 are disposed. An end wall I3 is positioned at one end of the base and a section wall I4 is disposed near the opposite end of the structure. These walls are al1 preferably constructed of heat insulating material suitably enclosed .by plates so to prevent the loss of heat .by radiation and to conserve the'heat within the furnace chamber I5. An end wall in the form of a plate I6 closes the space between the ends of the side wall members II andv I2. Spaces II and I8 are provided between the lower edges of the wall members I3 and I4 and the base I0, thus permitting an inflow ofatmospheric air to the furnace chamber I5. A Wall section I9 closes thev upper, end

of the furnace chamber I5 and is also constructed `of heat insulating material. Mounted uponthe base I0 are angle corner posts 20 `between which vertical side wall elements 2l and 22 and end wall elements 23 and'24 are posi- -tioned. These elements are preferably of sheet metal. Spacedat intervals ybetween the side wall elements 2lA and 22 are intermediate partition walls 25 which form boiler unit spaces 26. Disposed in each of these spaces is a boiler unit 2l. These comprise a lower manifold 28 and anupper manifold 29, and a plurality of intermediate columns 30. The upper and lower manifolds and their columns are preferably made of metal which has proper heat resisting qualities. 'I hese elements are preferably welded together and made of tubular stock. The manifolds 28 and 29 are provided with end domes 3I and 32 which close the ends thereof. These domes are formed with bracket arms 33 which restv upon horizontal supporting elements 34 carried by the uprightcorner members 20. The domes 3| are each formed with a pipe connection 35. The pipe connection 35 of the lower dome connects with a water pipe 36, and the pipe. connection 35 ofthe upper dome connects with a water pipe 31. The pipes 36 of each of the units connect with a lower water manifold 38 and the pipes 3l of each of the units connect with an-upper manifold 39. These manifolds Aare cross-connected by a pipe andare provided with a water supply pipe 4I here shown as directly'connecting with the lower manifold 38. At a point intermediate the length of the pipe 40 a valve 42 is provided to control the flow of water to the manifolds. Disposed centrally of each' of the columns 30 is va tubular flue element y43. The construction of these elements is more particularly disclosed in Fig. 4 of the vdrawings, where it will be seen thatthey are essentially circular in cross-section vand have alternate staggered concaved portions forming baffies 44. These baffles perform the vfunction of causing the air heated by the burners to pursue a sinuous course of travel upwardly through the tubes so as to impart a maximum heat thereto. At the'same time the water and steam passing upwardly through the tubular co1- umns 30 in the spacel 45 between the flues 43 and the tubes 3D will be caused to circulate in the convexed areas 44 which are provided exteriorly of the flue elements resultant of kforming lthe bales 44, and will insure a desired ef,- ficient exchange of heat between the gases passing through the tubes and the Vwater and ssl steam passing along the outside of the tubes and through the columns 3U. The upper ends of the tubes i3 pass diametrically through the manifold 29 and communicate with a flue space 41 which leads to a ue box 48 from which a flue outlet 49 leads. Each of the boiler units as described are separately connected to the manifolds 38 and 3Q by their pipes 36 and 31 through the medium of pipe unions 50. Thus it is possible to separate each of the eat exchange units from the manifold and remove it bodily without disturbing the rest of the units in the boier.

The preferred form of heat supply for the structure here disclosed is indicated as a plurality of separate burner structures 15. These burner structures have vertical pipes 5l which are preferably attached to fuel supply pipes anda control valve not illustrated. 'I'he burner pipes are arranged uniformly over the area of the furnace and at the bottom thereof. At the upper end of each of said pipes a single burner jet 52 is mounted. rIhe feature of the present invention by which high efficiency is obtained is concerned with the iiow and distribution of air through the apparatus. False floors 53 and arebuilt above the main ioor 55 of the furnace and are horizontally spaced therefrom. The space between the fioors is divided into a plurality of passageways 56 by wall elements El. Air may ow longitudinally through the passageways 55 and upwardly around the ends of the iioor and through openings 5t in the ioors 53 and 54. These openings are of relatively large diameter as compared with the burner pipes 5i which extend through them. It will also be noted that an inflow of air is afforded through the throats ll and i8 beneath the Aside walls of the structure, and that this air may flow upwardly 'to support combustion. Attention is directed to the fact that the columns 39 will be exteriorly heated by the air fiowing upwardly through the device since the air and products of combustion which do not pass through the tubes 43 will pass upwardly between the vertical partition plates 25 and around the columns. In order to insure intimate `contact between the surface of the columns and this upwardly flowing air a plurality of inclined baffle plates 59 are provided and mounted on the inner sides of the partition plates 25. These baffle plates have cutaway portions Si) which conform to the outer surface of the columns and embrace substantially one-half of their diameter. Thus with the plates being alternately arranged the air flowing upwardly between the vertical plates 25 will be caused to follow a sinuous path of travel into the upper portion il cf the boiler housing.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings the structure which is there shown is designed to be used to furnish a radiating or cooling surface such as required in heating or cooling air for a building. This unit has a base GES upon which opposite vertical angle posts 64 are mounted. Between these parts vertical side wall elements 35 and end wall elements 66 are positioned. Enclosed by these walls are boiler units 61. Each of the boiler units comprise a lower manifold t@ and an upper manifold G9 having end domes il and 12 and a plurality of intermediate columns it. A pipe 13 connects the lower manifold G8 with a water pipe 14, and a pipe. connectionlconnects the upper manifold 59 with a water pipe l5. The pipes lli of each of the units connect with a lower water manifold 18 and the pipes 'i5 cf each of the units connect with an upper manifold 19. These manifolds are cross connected by a pipe 16 and are provided with a water supply pipe 11 here shown as directly connecting with the lower manifold 18. At a point intermediate the length of the pipe 1B a valve 8D is provided to control the flow of water to the manifolds. Disposed centrally of the columns 61 is a tubular flue element 8l. The upper ends of the tubes 8| pass diametrically through the manifold 59. Carried above the flues 8l is a hood 82 from which a flue outlet 83 leads. Each of the boiler units, as described are separately connected to the manifolds 18 and 19 by pipes 14 and 15 through the medium of pipe unions 84. The unions 811 each connect the pipes 14 and 15 with the manifolds 16 and 19 which latter has a pipe leading from the unit to pipes 86 and 81. In the pipe 81 is a valve 88 which is operable to divert the water either to pipe 8E which carries hot water when the unit is used for heating, and to pipe 8l carrying off cold water when used for cooling.

The heat supply for the structure here disclosed is indicated the same as in Figs. 1 and 2 comprising a plurality cf separate burner structures 39, having vertical pipes 8E attached to a supply pipe and control valve not illustrated. The heat is confined to ascending only by way of the flues 3i as plates Si and 92 close off the section containing the manifolds 58 and 69 and communicating columns 1G. The intermediate columns 'iB have a series of baffle rings S3 upon them to retard the passage of air through the sections, As indicated at 94, the rings 93 are shown as overlapping the rings on adjacent columns so that the air as it travels upwardly may be completely conditioned as to heating or cooling. As shown in Fig. 6 a blower 95 of simple construction is provided having a base portion 96 and an air circulation portion 91 containing a fan blade 9S which may be used if desired to blow air against plates 65.

In operation of the present invention the boiler is assembled as shown in Figs. l and 3 of the drawings. When assembled the various units 21 are connected with the headers 38 and 39 by the pipes 36 and 31 and the unions 5D. The various burners are suitably connected with a fuel supply pipe and when the fuel is ignited the burners will produce a flame which passes upwardly to impinge against the lower manifolds 28.. A desired proportion of the products of combustion will pass through the tubes 43. Water will be delivered to the lower end of the boiler section through the water supply pipe 4| and the manifold 38 and will then pass through all of the pipes 36 to the lower manifolds Z8 of each of the units. The atmospheric air entering through the passageways i? and I8 under walls i3 and I4 will flow upwardly and pass around and between the columns 3B of the individual boiler units. This air will be deflected by the inclined baffle plates ed disclosed in Fig. 4 and will pass outwardhr through the fiue 49. The steam or hot water will pass from the units through the pipes 31 into the header 39 and may then pass through a pipe S2 to a suitable point of use. When it is necessary or desirable to remove one of the heat units 21 its particular pipes 36 and 31 may be disconnected from the headers 38 and 39, after which the unit will be completely separated from the rest of the structure and may be lifted from its seated position upon the supporting members 34. It will thus'be seen that the only necessary points of attachment are the pipes 35 and 31. Attention is also directed to the fact that the units are made of suitable non-cracking heat resisting material which makesit possible for them to be light in' weight, relatively small in compass and of great durability.

In operation of the present invention as is seen assembled in Figs. and 6 of the drawings various uses may be made of the apparatus as the operator may desire. When assembled as seen in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings the appara piping means to cool the temperature of a building. y

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, by those skilled in the art, without departing vfrom the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sectional boiler, a boiler unit comprisa ing upper and lower horizontal manifolds, vertical columns 'establishing' communication therebetween and being formed integral therewith,

ue tubes extending longitudinally through said columns and transversely across said manifolds and being formed integral therewith, said tubesv being open at their opposite ends to conduct a iiow of gas through the boiler unit, means for supporting and enclosing` a plurality of said boiler units, said means including vertical partition members positioned between said units whereby separate air passages will be formed for each unit, inclined bailie plates mounted on the 'inner surface of said vertical partition members embracing substantially one-half the diameter lower horizontal sinuous path of travel.

of thevertical columns whereby a sinuous path of travel ofthe air will be created.

2. In a sectional boiler, a boiler unit comprising upper and'lower horizontal manifolds, vertical columns establishing communication between said manifolds and being formed integral therewith, nue tubes extending longitudinally through said columns and transversely across the manifolds and being formed integral therewith, said tubes being open at theiropposite ends to conduct a iiow of gas through the boiler unit, said fiue tubes being formed with a series of concave portions on their outer face forming baffles `whereby the heat exchange surface will be increased, means for supporting and enclosing a plurality of said boiler units, said means including Vertical partition members positioned betweenr said units whereby separate air passages wili be formed for each of said units.

j 3. In a sectional boiler, a boiler frame for supporting and enclosing a plurality of boiler units, a series of burners in the lower portion of said frame, said boiler units comprising upper and manifolds positioned above said burners, vertical columns establishing communication therebetween and being formed integral therewith, ue tubes extending longitudinally through said columns and transversely across said manifolds and being formed integral therewith, said tubes being open at their opposite ends to conduct the ow of gas through the boiler units, said tubes being formed with a series of concave portions on their surface providing baiiles whereby the heat exchange surface will be increased and the upwardly moving gas from the burners will follow a sinuous path of travel,

`said boiler frame carrying vertical partition members positioned between said units whereby separate air passages will be formed for each of said units, said partitions comprising a plurality of inclined baille plates having cutaway portions conforming tothe outer surface of the vertical columns and embracing substantially one-half of their diameter whereby the air flowing upwardly between the vertical plates will follow a W'ILLIAM C'.l CAR'ITER. 

